


How to Turn Your PC Into a Media Server With Plex - Make Tech Easier
May 30, 2025 am 01:02 AMIn an era of giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and other giants, and some free streaming services, you may never be short of shows to watch. But if you want to access the library of movies and TV series stored on your PC on your Google TV or phone, instead of transferring files via a USB drive, a media server like Plex can help you organize and synchronize local media content to other devices.
Looking for your next favorite movie or show? Check out these free streaming services.
Table of contents
- Set up Plex Media Server
- Set up your Plex app
- Frequently Asked Questions
Set up Plex Media Server
The Plex Media Server scans all your local media folders and organizes them into an accessible online library. The app also allows you to seamlessly access your PC content on any other device (without passing a USB drive), while converting your movie and TV series collections into a standalone streaming platform.
- Download and install Plex Media Server for Windows. The app is also available for Mac and Linux.
Start the Plex Media Server application. Note that it runs in your internet browser, not as a standalone application.
The initial setup wizard will ask you to register an account. Select your registration method and log in to Plex.
- During server setup, select a name for your new server and add the corresponding media folder from your PC by pressing the "Add Library" button.
- Once you enter the Plex interface, you can add more media to your server by clicking the "More" button on the home screen and opening the "Pinned" section.
- Click the “ ” icon next to the server name on the home screen to start adding media.
- Select the type of media you want to add to Plex. You can add movies, TV shows, music, photos, or other videos.
- Once Plex has finished scanning everything in your selected folder, you can view it on the homepage by selecting the corresponding library on the left.
- In addition to having an online server that contains everything on your PC, you can also browse Plex's library. Additionally, with the Discover tab, you can also add content from your favorite streaming app to Plex. Note that Plex is just a discovery tool for your streaming app. If you want to watch a specific title, it will still redirect you to the corresponding app.
- Once you have turned off the Plex Media Server in your browser, you can start it again by double-clicking the Plex icon in the Windows system tray.
Want to use Plex more skillfully? Check out our ultimate list of Plex keyboard shortcuts.
Set up your Plex app
After populating your Plex server with your locally stored movies and TV series, you can now continue to install the Plex client app on the device you wish to watch. Plex has free apps for multiple platforms, including Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
- Download the Plex app to your phone, TV, or tablet and log in with the same account as the Plex media server you use on Windows.
- You should be able to view all local content synchronized with the app.
- Start streaming on your TV or phone by selecting the movie/show you wish to watch. Remember that the device running your Plex media server should always be turned on and running Plex in the background.
Want to stream music? Try these best Spotify alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you explore alternatives to Plex?
Plex may be one of the best media center applications, but it also has some limitations. For example, Plex's free content contains ads, which may affect your viewing experience. Also, if you want to watch trailers and comments on Plex, it will redirect you to external sources. You may also miss Netflix's "like" feature or other features like "want to see", and many of the extra features of Plex are locked behind a paywall. If you feel the Plex experience isn't as good as you'd expect, explore some Plex alternatives that offer more free features.
Is Plex legal?
Yes, Plex is totally legal. In fact, streaming content from any Plex alternative is also legal. As far as your local content library is concerned, we recommend that you get all content legally.
Why can't Plex play certain movies?
If you cannot play certain titles on the client device, the drive hosting your Plex media server may not have enough temporary space to transcode that particular file. Assigning a different temporary folder on a larger drive solves this problem.
Why is Plex so stuck?
If your Plex app is stuck, your connection may not be fast enough, or other devices in your home may be taking up your bandwidth.
Image source: Pixabay. All screenshots are courtesy of Tanveer Singh .
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